Spine-Directed Oncology

Summary: The spine is the one of the most common locations
in the body for the spread of breast, prostate, lung and other cancers. UMGCCC
offers an interdisciplinary team of experts in spine tumors to provide the
most effective treatment possible for patients with primary or metastatic
spine disease.

Metastatic Tumors

The spine is one of the most common places in the body for the spread (or metastasis) of cancer. Each year, an estimated 18,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with metastatic spine disease.
In fact, over 40 percent of all patients who have cancer elsewhere in their body - including breast, prostate and lung cancer - will experience the spread of their cancer to their spine in their lifetime.

Primary Tumors

Primary spinal tumors may be benign or malignant. Tumors may occur in the bony
skeleton, supportive tissue or within the nervous system. Symptomatic tumors
usually require treatment.

Symptoms of Spine Tumors

Symptoms may result from bone and soft tissue invasion, spinal instability, or pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves. Symptoms may include:

Pain

Numbness or abnormal sensation

Loss of strength in the arms or legs

Inability to walk

Incontinence of bladder or bowel functions

Diagnosis of Spine Tumors

Imaging studies are used to determine the presence and extent of spine lesions.
These tests may include:

Spine x-ray

Spinal CT

Spine MRI

Spinal PET Scan

Myelogram

Our radiologists are Board Certified and have advanced training. Less invasive biopsy techniques
may be available through our interventional
radiologists. A CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination may be normal, or
abnormal but nonspecific. Cytology (cell studies) of CSF sometimes shows tumor
cells.

This disease may also alter the results of an ADH test.

We provide our patients with timely reports of their and take the time to carefully and thoroughly review all films and laboratory test results with the patient and family members.

Expertise: Our Spine Tumor Specialists

Developing the best treatment plan for a patient with spinal metastases requires
the expertise of many different specialists. Our multidisciplinary team approach
to the treatment of spine tumors means that patients benefit from the combined
expertise and experience of the entire team of spine cancer experts.

Our surgeons and physicians are Board Certified and Fellowship trained in their specialties. In addition, our patients have access to the comprehensive support services of a large academic cancer center, including the latest clinical trials, psychological services, nutrition counseling, and many other support services.

Spinal Tumors: Treatment Options

Depending on the type and location of the tumor, the patient's other health conditions, and previous treatments received, an individual's treatment plan for spine cancer may involve a combination of therapies, including:

Surgical
resection and reconstruction for spinal stability using the best techniques
available

Treating the Person, Not Just the Disease

Our multidisciplinary spine cancer team is dedicated to exploring all the options
with patients and their family members, providing the most advanced treatments
possible based on each patient’s unique needs and desires.

As new, more powerful and targeted treatments become available, more and more
people are living with cancer. Our goal is to provide patients with the full
range of cancer management strategies, so that they can continue to live as
normally and actively as possible. In cases where cancer cannot be cured, palliative
(or symptom relief) treatments can improve a patient’s quality of
life by increasing or restoring mobility, relieving pain, numbness and other
symptoms, and allowing the return to normal daily activities.

We offer a full range of specialty and support services to assist those living
with cancer.

Immediate Access to Cancer Experts

For more information about our Spine Directed Oncology Program, or to schedule a consultation with our team of spine tumor specialists, please call 1-800-888-8823 or you may contact the Department of Radiation Oncology directly at 410-328-6080. We make every effort to schedule your appointment within three to four days of your call. Physicians may call our Physician OneCall line at 1-800-373-4111.